M.I.A. Preps New Album ‘Matahdatah’ with ‘Matahdatah Scroll 01 ‘Broader Than A Border’!

After weeks of teasing, the controversial queen herself has dropped what she is calling “Matahdatah Scroll 01 “Broader Than a Border.” The short film consists of two songs, the Hit-Boy-produced “Warriors” off her 2013 album Matangi and the brand new electro number “Swords.” It’s “the first in a series of truly global and characteristically DIY M.I.A. releases over the coming months. Each bundle will feature a collection of new M.I.A. songs, each accompanied by videos directed and edited by M.I.A. herself with each video filmed in a different country.” These will eventually be compiled into a “full-length album” titled Matahdatah, according to Interscope Records.

“I directed and edited my first music video for “Warriors” for my last album, MATANGI, and I held it back until now, because it inspired me to make a whole series of songs and videos on the concept of borders,” M.I.A. said in a statement. “Making songs and videos at the same time out of a suitcase on location is something I did on my album KALA, but it’s video, as well as music, made by me in a very ARULAR way.”

“My new song ‘Swords‘ was filmed in a Temple in India and we recorded the clang of the metal to make the beat at the same time as shooting these incredible girls,” M.I.A. continued. “There’s ten more of these countries coming and I haven’t chased where to go yet, so who knows where this project will take me. ‘Warriors‘ was shot in Cote d’Ivoire with a guy I saw in a youtube video doing the most incredible dancing. I tracked down that exact guy, flew out there and played him the ‘Warriors’ track. He did his thing for me. He is a spiritual warrior and communicates through dancing. It’s a lifelong commitment for him to be the designated spiritual body that channels that dance.” It’s a whole lot to take in so just watch below!

BUY the first edition of Matahdatah from M.I.A. [Scroll 01 “Broader Than a Border”] on iTunes now!